A troubled teensquito discovers dark secrets....

Spike TV is developing a Blade series. This may be one less network, but it's true--there are more and more places for scripts to find home. One just has to get over the pride thing and pocket the paychecks.

Yeah, I'm not seeing the argument that the space for good television shows has necessarily contracted. It's not like fricking Time Warner or CBS/Viacom went anywhere. (If Viacom hadn't just split from CBS I'd be making the argument that that combined company has around a brazilian channels to air programming on, but I don't know what their relationship is anymore w/r/t their individual television units.)

Plus, there's not necessarily a connection between the growth in outlets and increasing quality, scripted TV; there does seem to be a growth in outlets and a corresponding increase in cheap television-- reality shows and culture talking head shows (where the contributors usually aren't paid).

Yes, but getting a series on Spike TV has limited cachet--don't you think?

For viewers, maybe, but I'd bet insiders don't scoff at someone who got a show picked up, if they think that person has potential.

Yes, but getting a series on Spike TV has limited cachet--don't you think? And most everything on Sci Fi that's not BSG is regarded in at best an entertaining light (Stargates) and at worst it's Mansquito. I say that knowing my best friend's series debuts on the channel in six months--the BSG glow doesn't rub off on him automatically.

I'm not sure I agree. I don't know the exact figures, but I believe at least half of the population gets basic cable channels, so a series on Spike or TBS, or even The Food Network has lots of exposure - plus they run the show multiple times, and if it's a hit, it gets released on DVD for the rest of the population. SciFi's other show was picked up from Showtime (and the spinoff carries the same "taint"), and their last original series before SGA was Farscape, wasn't it? Comparing Mansquito to SciFi cable series(es) is like comparing the Tori Spelling M.O.W. on NBC to Medium.

Your best friend's series on Sci Fi will stand or fall on its own merits. But considering Sci Fi's track record for original series not spinned off, I'd say your friend is probably very talented and wish him the best of luck. What's his show about?

Comparing Mansquito to SciFi cable series(es) is like comparing the Tori Spelling M.O.W. on NBC to Medium.

Sci Fi has three live action series. Three hours. Today's schedule looks like 8 hours of Roswell, one of Twilight Zone, two of X-Files, one of Stargate, one of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and Out Of The Blue, Bermuda Triangle: Startling New Secrets, Momentum and Cloned for a sum total of 8 hours. BSG is in no way representative of the channel. It's the exception.

bon, you're telling me that an actor or a writer wouldn't rather be on HBO or NBC than Spike or Sci Fi? That doesn't jibe with discussions I've had. Getting paid is always good, but there was a point where cable series weren't as highly regarded as they are now--now it's a matter of breaking out and evening the playing field even further.

bon, you're telling me that an actor or a writer wouldn't rather be on HBO or NBC than Spike or Sci Fi? That doesn't jibe with discussions I've had. Getting paid is always good, but there was a point where cable series weren't as highly regarded as they are now--now it's a matter of breaking out and evening the playing field even further.

I don't deny there's a preference; everyone wants to be on the next Friends. But I'm not positive there's actually a stigma to getting a show on certain nets.

I'm not positive there's actually a stigma to getting a show on certain nets.

Stigma's your word, not mine. I said "limited cachet" and I stand by that--NBC or HBO have more than Spike TV, and will for a while, even if they're not actually earning it (NBC has some coasting left in it, I suspect).

Largo, I was questioning the implication that network heads only cancel shows that they personally think are bad. Well, and also the idea that quality is some kind of objective, obvious thing that everyone agrees on. I think F&G got cancelled because it got lousy ratings. Which might well be a shame, but... that's how TV works.

Ancier was head of programming at the WB when they developed Buffy. And Felicity, and Dawson's Creek. Like it or not, DC was was a hit for the network and got a lot of good press. Before that he was at Fox, and gave the go-ahead for the first 13 episodes of The Simpsons. Etcetera. If he's an idiot, he's remarkably lucky.

And yeah, I don't see broadcast vs. cable prestige that being a huge factor. It's not like the networks go door to door, begging for scripts, while EPs and writers say, "No, sorry, you're not cool enough to give me money."

I stand corrected. About a lot of things.

ETA: Definitely, in the future, I'll know to think before I speak...er, post.

I hate it when Strega makes sense and lets the air out of my unrighteous indigination.

A troubled teensquito discovers dark secrets....